Review of the Rothwell and Oulton conservation areas

People from Rothwell and Oulton are being asked for their views on the future of their local conservation areas and to comment on what they think is special about both places and how they think they could be enhanced.

Conservation areas aim to safeguard the special architectural and historic character of places and protect their important buildings from unauthorised demolition. Rothwell conservation area was first designated in 1976 and was last reviewed and extended in 1987. Oulton conservation area was first designated in 1975 and extended to include Oulton Park in 1987. Both conservation areas are now being reviewed.

A number of extensions and modifications are proposed for both conservation areas to make sure that all areas of special architectural and historic interest are included. Draft conservation area appraisals and management plans have been produced and are now available for public consultation. Members of the public will be asked for their comments on the draft appraisals and the proposed boundary changes. The draft appraisal documents will be available online throughout the consultation at
www.leeds.gov.uk/Environment_and_planning/Conservation/Conservation_area_appraisals.aspx

An exhibition on the Rothwell review can be viewed at Rothwell Library from 25 January to 5 March. A public meeting and drop-in session will also be held at the Rothwell One Stop Centre, Marsh Lane on Wednesday 24 February. A conservation officer will be holding a drop-in session between 3 and 6.30pm, and there will be a presentation and question and answer session at 7pm.

At Oulton there will be an exhibition about the review at the Oulton Institute between 25 January and 5 March. A conservation officer will be holding an informal ‘drop-in’ session at the same venue on Tuesday 9 February, 3 – 6pm and there will be a presentation and question and answer session there on Wednesday 10 February, 7.30 – 8.30pm.

Councillor Andrew Carter, joint leader and executive board member responsible for development, said:

“We want to safeguard the special architectural nature and historic character of this town and village, and protect important buildings from unauthorised demolition. Designating a conservation area is the best way for us to do this.

“It is vital that we get the opinions of local people and these two public meetings will give residents the opportunity to speak directly to a conservation officer and make sure that their views are known to the council.”

Buildings within a conservation area are protected from unauthorised demolition, and new developments have to meet higher standards of design than elsewhere. Other planning rules are slightly different and permission from the council is needed for certain activities such as tree felling.

The outer south area committee, with the support of the ward councillors, have made this work a priority and allocated money from their ‘Well Being Fund’ to ensure that Rothwell and Oulton have up-to-date conservation area protection.

The public consultation will begin on Monday 25 January and will run until Friday 5 March. For further information contact the conservation team at: Sustainable Development Unit, Leeds City Council, Leonardo Building, 2 Rossington Street, Leeds, LS2 8HD. Tel - 0113 2224409. Email – building.conservation@leeds.gov.uk

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact;
Claire Macklam, Leeds City Council press office (0113) 395 1578
Email: claire.macklam@leeds.gov.uk